Disclaimer: I do not own J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter Universe.
The night's events had left everyone in the Weasley household exhausted and dismal. These feelings were only deepened by the knowledge that Mr. Weasley was going to be buried that afternoon. When Harry finally walked downstairs, he smelled bacon and eggs being fried in the kitchen. He heard Ron and Hermione fighting in the living room about something that didn't really interest him, and Professor Lupin and Dumbledore were sitting at the kitchen table, talking over a cup of tea. Harry felt light-headed. Today was the day; Mr. Weasley was going to be buried. Harry sighed and headed for the back door. He felt that he should have a few minutes alone outside where he could get some air before he joined the family for breakfast.
He stepped out on to the porch and looked around at Mrs. Weasley's well-kept garden. Sitting on a bench, holding a single, red rose was Ginny. Her head was in her hands, and her shoulders were shaking. Harry was awe-struck. He had never seen someone so beautiful, but yet so sad in his whole life. Awkwardly, Harry made his way towards the bench. As he weaved his way through the flowers, he was trying to think of what to do.
When Harry reached Ginny's side, he touched her shoulder gently. "Gin, are you all right?" he said, trailing off. That was a stupid thing to say; of course she's not all right. Ginny's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"When I was a little girl, Dad would take a rose and place it under my pillow so I would find it before I went to bed," Ginny said, looking up at Harry with tear-filled eyes. "It was always a little thing between us. He would give me a rose, and in turn, I would give him a kiss. Now, I won't be able to do that anymore," Ginny said, holding the rose tightly as if her life depended on it.
"I'm sorry, Gin," Harry said, turning her and hugging her close. His stomach was doing summersaults in his chest. He could feel her hot tears running down her cheeks, and he tried to blink back his own. "He was a good man," Harry said.
"Thanks Harry, you really are a good friend." Harry felt an icy chill shoot through him after he heard Ginny say, "friend". Something about that word unsettled him. He pushed his thoughts aside and nodded his head. He was about to say more when the door opened, and Fred and George stuck their heads outside.
"Stop snogging our sister and come eat," they both said in unison. The twins laughed and shut the door.
Harry kissed Ginny's cheek and smiled faintly. "It'll all be okay Gin; you'll see," Harry said and conjured up a handkerchief with his wand to wipe at the tears that were streaking her cheeks.
After breakfast, everyone went upstairs to dress. Once Harry was alone in the room, he pulled out the painting of Sirius, looking at his godfather with pain in his eyes.
"I know what they're going through, Sirius," Harry said, staring at his godfather who was beaming up at him.
"I know, Harry. I'm still here though. Maybe not like I was before, but I'm still here."
"I wish I could help her, Sirius!" Harry said angrily.
"Ginny?" Sirius asked.
Harry smiled."Yeah."
Sirius grinned. "All in good time, Harry," he said.
A few minutes later, Ron walked in to the room. "Mum says its time to go, mate," he said, looking vacantly around the room. Harry grabbed his cloak and walked downstairs to join the others.
The funeral was beautiful, but sad. Harry sat between Professor Dumbledore and Ginny looking around at the sad faces. Everywhere he looked, someone was crying. He felt helpless. At the end of the funeral, the Weasley family was called up to pay their respects. One by one, all of the children joined Molly next to the grave, bending their heads in silent tribute to their father. Mrs. Weasley motioned for Harry to come join her, so he slowly got up and walked to her side.
"You are just like our son, Harry," she said through her tears and kissed his forehead. He knelt down next to the grave, not knowing what to do. A prickling sensation was tickling the backs of his eyes, and a single lowly tear escaped the corner of one . This group of people huddled together was a sign of hope to the wizarding world in Professor Dumbledore's eyes. It was only a matter of time before their true love and loyalty would be tested.
In the shadows, a thin man watched the funeral with growing excitement. It wouldn't be long until he had exactly what he wanted. A small, cold laugh escaped the man's mouth, but it was not heard by the group of people that were close by.
A/N: Thank you to to my readers. I hope that you are enjoying the story.